Breaking Through Barriers

Category: senior health

While it may not be as fun to stay active when the temperatures are colder and the sun sets so early, there are a few advantages when it comes to remaining active during the winter months. You don’t have to worry about the heat and humidity, you can boost your immunity during cold and flu season, and of course, maintain an active lifestyle. To learn how you can reap these benefits, take a look at these three tips for staying active during the season of chilly temperatures.

Bundle Up: You don’t have to miss out on your brisk walks or trips outside just because the temps have dropped. Simply make sure you’re wearing the proper warm weather gear to hold in your body heat. Start with base layers such as thermals to trap body heat. Add your sweatshirts or jackets, followed by hats, scarves and gloves to keep every part of your body protected from those nippy temperatures. Make sure your layers are water-wicking as to not absorb moisture from snow or sleet.

Turn Your Household Chores into a Full Body Workout: Thankfully, we don’t have to build a winter shelter, but taking care of your home can be a full body workout! Did you know that shoveling snow for 30 minutes can burn around 220 calories based on a body weight of 155 pounds? That’s right! Doing your household chores this winter can help you shed the pounds. If you don’t get snow in your neck of the woods, deep cleaning your home can burn the same amount of calories with effort exerted.

Pick up a Winter Sport: Everyone agrees on the phrase “work hard play hard”, and there’s no better way to embrace the winter weather than by picking up a winter sport. While you don’t have to go the extreme sports route like snowboarding, there are plenty of other options such as sledding or cross country skiing. Try a hike or snowshoeing through the peaceful, snowy landscape. Are you a wheelchair user? You could join a winter sports team, like a wheelchair hockey team or sit skiing club. Not only do you have the chance to be outside and be active, but you can make new friends.

No matter how you plan to stay active this winter, always remember to properly hydrate and wear the correct gear for whatever activity you may be partaking in. Have your own tips for staying active during the winter? Share them in the comments below!

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Falls are considered the number one cause of injury for seniors. After falling once, it doubles a person’s chance of falling again and often leads to Post Fall Anxiety Syndrome. Learn how a few simple modifications can help mitigate fall risks in the home and provide peace of mind for you or a loved one.

Bonus Tip: Add non-slip mats to the shower and bathtub to prevent any slips and falls while bathing. If accessing a shower or tub is too difficult for you or your loved one, consider using our EZ-Shower Bedside Shower or EZ-BATHE® Body Washing Basin for an in-bed bathing experience.

Entryways and Raised Landings: Does your home have a tricky entryway or a step down into another room? These can be problematic for those who experience difficulty moving safely throughout their home. Adding a TRANSITIONS® threshold ramp, mat, or plate in those areas can dramatically reduce the number of tripping incidents and create a smooth path for wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, etc.

Porches and Stairs: Don’t risk falling or tripping down porch or entryway stairs, especially when it’s rainy or icy. Adding a ramp and/or platform to your home can help eliminate environmental hazards, which is the majority reason people fall. The PATHWAY® 3G Modular Access System could be the perfect solution when it comes to creating a cleared walkway with safe handrails to guide individuals to and from home access points.

While not every fall leads to injury, there can still be health risks that are present such as the inability to get up or the anxiety of falling again. Since one-third of those who are over 65 will fall each year, it’s important to take the right precautions to help eliminate the potential causes of injury.

Summer is in full swing and with the kids out of school, you’ll need some healthy recipes to keep them and you strong and active this summer. That’s why we compiled this list of mouthwatering summer recipes that are nutritious, but still tasty!

Squash Pizza: Abundant zucchini and squash mixed together with pizza is a surefire way to put a smile on your loved one’s face!

Grilled Eggplant Panini: Cook up these creamy and rich eggplant Paninis as an easy summertime lunch for the family! Using whole-grain bread will add just another emphasis on the healthy aspect of the sandwich.

Triple Berry Salad: Plump berries, tangy goat cheese, creamy avocado, and crunchy almonds…say no more! You will love this healthy, fresh summer salad that will give you a boost of energy to get through this summer’s festivities.

Pasta Primavera: For all the pasta lovers out there, this is the yummy but light dish for you! We love how these crisp vegetables bring bright colors into this refreshing meal.

Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Popsicles: These refreshing, lemony popsicles will cool you down during this summer! Don’t skip out on the graham cracker crumbs because they definitely make this recipe special!

Salmon Burgers: Try this lighter, healthier take on a burger that will make your taste buds burst! This quick recipe will be great to make for your family when you’re getting ready to go to baseball tournaments this summer.

Banana Split Kabobs: These easy to make kabobs will put a smile on everyone’s face. Feel free to add other healthy items to make this recipe your own sweet summer treat!

Grilled Honey-Lime Chicken: This grilled chicken recipe comes with a fruity salsa mix that brightens up this meal! The sweet flavors will leave your family wanting more and asking when you’ll be making it again.

Burrito Bowls: Let your kids have fun and be creative by getting to throw any of the healthy items you set out into their own burrito bowl. This is a recipe you can feel good about, even if you add extra guacamole.

Triple Berry Crisp: This warm berry crisp will make your mouth water. Find some summer berries and throw them together with a couple extra ingredients to make this sweet delight!

Try making a few of these and let us know which one of these nourishing delights was your favorite, or tell us one of your healthy summer recipes that you like to make. We’d love to hear what delicacies you create!

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With the arrival of World Health Day every April, taking the time to reflect on vital issues can be a key step in improving your overall quality of life. In the past, this important holiday has helped spread awareness of diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure and other illnesses by sharing knowledge and advocating preventative actions. However, this year we are taking a step back to understand that not all conditions can be evident to the outside eye. Each year, more than 16 million American adults suffer from depression, making it one of the most common mental illnesses in the nation. From this, 7 million of those affected are over the age of 65. In honor of the World Health Day’s ‘Let’s Talk’ campaign, which seeks to spread awareness of this vital issue, EZ-ACCESS offers these essential management guidelines so that you can find the help you need to live a full life:

Know the Symptoms

Allowing depression to go untreated can dramatically decrease your well-being. Although it can be easy, dismissing warning signs and treating them as common mood swings can have severe future consequences. To ensure you get the help necessary to live your days to the fullest, recognize the symptoms. Although feeling sadness, hopeless, cranky, nervous and disengaged are the most publicized effects, they are not the only indicators. If you are feeling fatigue, have consistent headaches, abdominal cramps, digestive issues, an increase or decrease in your appetite and experience insomnia, these can also be important signs of a more serious problem.

Speak Out

If you experience depression symptoms, don’t keep it inside. Speaking to family, friends and medical professionals is a key component of managing the effects of the disease. If you are not yet comfortable in seeking personal support, contacting an advocacy group such as the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance can be an important first step in coming to terms with the condition. No matter which option you use, by taking the first step in seeking help, you can find the treatment that’s effective for your unique needs and have a core team that will provide key support with the transition.

Stay Healthy

An important tool in the fight against depression is keeping active. With the arrival of spring, it’s the perfect time to enjoy walks and other outdoor events. Spending the day in a park can also help increase relaxation and prevent possible anxiety. If you are struggling to make it outside, start small. Make it a point to walk each day to the end of your driveway and back. Additionally, try to incorporate more healthy foods into your diet and eliminate caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes. To help stay active, you can also join community clubs and groups or simply ask a friend to accompany you on a daily stroll. Even the smallest steps can make a major impact in improving your overall well-being.

Although depression is an ongoing fight, with support and healthy habits, you can continue to overcome the obstacles. To help you stay active, EZ-ACCESS offers a complete line of portable and semi-permanent ramps so that you can enjoy each and every day to the fullest. Contact our team today to learn more about how these useful products can get you moving forward.